How to Choose an Attorney

By
Law Offices of Sandra M. Radna, P.C.
|June 15, 2018

Have you ever heard this joke: “What do you call 500 attorneys at
the bottom of the ocean? A good start.” Jokes like these reflect
what some people generally think about attorneys, the fact is that most
people need a lawyer at some point in their life. From personal reasons
to business affairs, there are a number of different situations that can
arise which require legal guidance and advice from an experienced lawyer.
Below, are a few tips that you can use to help choose the best legal representation
for your situation so that you don’t end up with an attorney that
you wish was “at the bottom of the ocean”.

#1: Find An Attorney You Can Trust

Be aware that your relationship with your attorney is just that, a relationship.
It is important that you feel comfortable with the attorney who will be
representing your interests. Your comfort level with your lawyer is largely
dependent on how much you like the attorney’s personality. You must
have someone you feel comfortable speaking to. The most important components
of the attorney client relationship are trust and honesty. If you are
not comfortable with your attorney, you are unlikely to develop complete
trust in their abilities. Because trust and comfort are so important,
you should meet the attorney in person. This is the best way to determine
if the attorney you are interested in is right for you. As we all know,
there are certain subtleties that cannot be picked up over the phone,
which makes an in person meeting more suitable to better evaluate the attorney.

#2: Do Some Research

Before you schedule meetings with prospective attorneys, do some research.
If the attorney was referred by someone you know, ask the following questions:

What did the recommender like about the attorney?

How quickly did the attorney return phone calls or e-mails?

Did the attorney solve the problem in a satisfactory and timely manner?

Look the attorney up on the internet and review their website. Look to
see if they have reviews. What are their former clients saying about them?
Also, make sure that the problem that you are consulting the attorney
about is listed as one of their main practice areas on their website.

#3: Does the Attorney Listen to You?

When you meet with an attorney to discuss your problem, they should be
listening closely to everything you tell them. If the attorney does not
seem like they have time to listen to you at the first meeting, it is
unlikely that the attorney will listen to you after you retain their service.
An attorney is only able to effectively represent you if they fully understand
your problem. Without listening to you, full comprehension of your legal
problem is impossible.

#4: What’s the Attorney’s Plan & Fees?

Ask the attorneys you meet with about how they would solve your problem.
An experienced attorney should be able to tell you how they would handle
your problem in order to achieve the quickest and most satisfactory case
result. Ask about their fees too. The attorney should be able to tell
you exactly what their fees are and when and how you will be billed. An
attorney’s fee should not be a surprise to you once their work has
already commenced. You should sign a written retainer agreement that is
clear and understandable to you. The retainer agreement should contain
any particulars about your fee arrangement with the attorney you decide to hire.

Following the guidelines listed above should help you choose an experienced,
competent attorney that you trust and who will solve your problem to your
satisfaction.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.